Container



March 30, 1937. l H Q VAUGHN l 2,075,383

CONTAINER Filed Nov. l5, 1955 v 2 ShetS-Sheet l INI/NTOR.

n. HAROLD 64@ Vqao-HM 9 77 M, mixf ze. 22 1 ATTORNEY March 30, 1937. H.G. VAUGHN CONTAINER Filed Nv. 15

, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. Hanau: 63u? Val/Mw.

ATTORNEY Parenteel Mar. 3o, 1937 CONTAINER Harold Gar Vaughn, Warren,Ohio, assignor to The Ohio Corrugating Company, Warren, Ohio,

a. corporation of Ohio Application November 15, 1935, serial No. 49,901

16 ClamS. (Cl. 22o-61) l v Another object of the invention is to providei This invention relates to a container which has a large opening at oneend and a cover therefor adapted to be sealed circumferentially to forma liquid tight container for foods, uids, semi-fluids,

5 greases and other materials. In the illustrated application of myinvention, the body of the-container is entirely open at one end and thehead for such end is removable and constitutes a cover. By preference,all portions of the container are formed of sheet steel.

In such containers employing split rings for securing and sealing acover or the container head in position, of which I have knowledge,v ithas been the practice in some cases for the container manufacturer whenshipping emptyl containers to his customer or user, to position thecover on the container and to clamp the split ring in its operativeposition thereon with the sealing gasket in its nal compressedcondition, as no provision was made for effecting or permitting theassembly of these parts without compressing the gasket. sulted inmaterially affecting the elasticity or expansion and compressibility ofthe .gasket and caused it to become se`t, so that when the user openedthe container and lled it, the gasket had l to be discarded and a newone substituted to insure a, liquid-tight sealing condition of thefilled container for shipment. In other cases, the containermanufacturer shipped the gaskets separately and the cover, container andring in assembled relation, the result being that the cover was looseand permitted dust and dirt to get into the container. One object of theinvention is to provide for a container an improved split ring having onits end portions detachable locking elements so constructed that thering may be positioned in assembled relation ,to the container and itscover without compressing the cover gasket to permit shipment of thecontainer in empty condition and after the container is filled to permitthe positioning of the ring in nal position with the container coversealed in a liquid-tight manner. Another object of the invention is toprovide for a container of this type an improved closing, sealing andlocking means comprising a split ring and a locking means for the ringthe construction of which is simpliiied and arranged to facilitate the'positioning of the ring, the assembly of thering, gasket and containerforshipment when empty without destroying the sealing effect of thegasket and the nal sealing of the cover and 55 locking of the ring endstogether,

Such assembly and shipment refor a container an improved split ringhaving on its end portions and below the, ring and operable relative tothe external side' wall of the container, detachable locking elementsand a combined lock and sealing means for one of the locking elements. f

` A further object of the invention is to provide an improved split ringhaving on its ends locking elements and a lock for such elements ar.

A smi further object of the invention 'is te provide means forreinforcing the ring ends whereby the ring may be made from relativelylight material. f

Otherobjects .of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in theart to which my invention relates from the following description takenin gage connection with the accompanying drawings,

W erein Fig. 1 is a plan view of a container and its sealing ring, thelatter being shown in expanded position and the locking means detached.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary planview of the parts shown in Fig. 1, enlarged,but showing the locking means attached and the ring partially closed.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary view similar to Fig. 2, f-

butshowing the ring in iinal sealing or locked position.

Fig. 4 is aside elevation of the parts shown in y Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a section on the line 6 5 of Fig. 3. Figs. 6, 7, and 8 aresections on the linesG-S, 1-1 and 8-'8, respectively, of Fig. 4.

Fig. 9 is a section on the line of 9 9 of Fig. 8.

Fig. 10 is a perspective detail view. Fig. 11 is a fragmentary planviewvsimilar to Fig. 3, but showing the position f the ring-when thecontainer is shipped empty.

Fig. 12 is a section on the line I2`II2 of Fig. 11.

The container illustrated 1s of the siaeeI drum or barrel type, having aside wall I, a cover 2 and a bottom wall or head 2a. The side wall l isprovided with the usual rolling hoops la. The upper end of the side wallis rolled over out- .wardly to form a continuous circumferential bead 3and the cover 2 has a circumferential wall or flange 4 arranged toengage a packing or gasket seated on the bead 3 and effect a closing andsealing of the container. The cover is preferably cup-shaped so as toflt or telescope within the open end of the side wall I, the ange 4 5projecting outwardly to lie overthe packing 5.

6 indicates a split ring substantially U-shape in cross section and whenpositioned, the ring surrounds the bead 3 and its upper and lowercircumferential terminating walls 6a,.6b, engage 10 the flange 4 andlower side of the bead 3 to effect sealing of the coverin position whenthe ring is contracted. The .ring 6 is preferably formed of resilientmetal, whereby it may be readily expanded circumferentially and its endsseparated substantially laterally' sufficiently to permit the ring to bepositioned around the bead and :Ilange and then contractedcircumferentially.l into engagement therewith, as shown in Figs.' 3, 4,5, 6, 7 and 8, in which position the 2o cover flange 4 is secured insealed relation to' the bead 3. The operation of contracting the ringinto the position indicated is accomplished as hereinafter set forth.

'I indicates as an entirety locking means carried entirely on and belowthe lower wall lib'V of the ring adjacent the ends thereof and withinthe outer wall of the hoops Ia, whereby the barrel or container may berolled without danger of damaging the locking means and when the ring isexpanded it may be dropped on and supported by the uppermost hoop; forexample while the container is being lled and the cover and gasket arebeing assembled. The operable elements ofthe -locking means are carriedby onering end and are adapted to bedetachably connected to the otherend of the ring (see Fig. 1) and operated to lock them together. Whenthe locking means are operated into their locked position, thecompressibility of the packing 5 allows them, in which position thecover is tightly held and sealed by the lockingmeans.

For this purpose I secure exteriorly on one ring end, as by welding, awall 8 havlnga depending support 8a which is providedat its lower endwith an outwardly extending lug 8x. The lug 8a: is preferably extendedtoward the other ringend and4 such extended end has pivoted to it on avertical axis 8 the inner end of a lever 9, adapted to serve as ahandle. The lug 8a: is folded back on itself to form a relatively thickywall through which the pivot pin 3' extends. The lever 9 issubstantially U-shape in cross section to eiect a reinforcement thereofand vpermit its sidewalls at their inner ends to t over the lug 8a: andpivotally engage the opposite ends of the pin 8. l0 indicates a link,preferably two links, pivotally connected by a vertically disposed pin9" at one end toI the opposite sides of the lever 9 at a point remotefrom its ypivot 8'. The opposite or free ends of the links I0 areprovided with a pin I I` adapted to provide for the detachableconnectionof the links. to the other end of the ring. The other ring endis provided. with a wall I2, welded ex'teriorly thereto and` having adepending support I2a provided at its lower `endwith anfoutwardlyextending lug I3 whichis doubled back on itself to form a relativelythick wall. 'The outer longitudinal edge of the lug I3 is formed with aplurality of notches 475 I4.' I4a into any one of which the pin Il maybe inserted, as later .set forth, following which the lever 9 may beoperated from the4 Fig. 2 position inwardly, horizontally toward andsubstantially into engagement with the side wall I, thereby securing thecover, gasket, container and ring in assembled relation. When the leveror handle 9 is operated into this position it may be locked and sealedat its outer end against tampering by means, indicated as an entirety atI5. I prefer to provide two notches I4, I4a, spaced longitudinally ofthe ring. When the .pin II is inserted in the notch- I4a remote from the'adjacent ring end and the lever 9 is operated as above set forth(seeFigs. 3, 4, 5, 6, 'l and 8)., the ring is contracted into nalposition, the gasket 5 being compressed to seal the cover. When the pinII is inserted in the notch I4 near the adjacent end of the ring and thelever is operated as above set forth (see Figs. 11 and 12), the ring iscontracted to a limited extent to avoid compressing the gasket and thusmaking it ineffective as a seal; but such contraction is sufficient tosecure the cover, gasket, container and ring' in assembled relation.Accordingly, the con tainer manufacturer may make and assemble theseparts and ship them in assembled relation (the container empty) to thecontainer user without distorting the gasket or affecting its sealingcharacteristic and the user may readily remove the gasket and cover 2,ll the container. and then replace the gasket and cover, and erate thelocking means l in the manner later' set forth and thus compress thegasket .to eifect sealing of the cover in a liquid-tight condition. Itwill be noted that the notch I4 nearest the adjacent ring end extendssubstantially radially of the container and at its inner end it isenlarged to form shoulders I4 and that ,the notch I4a remote from theadjacent ring end is, by preference, inclined outwardlyand away fromsuch end, but is enlarged at its inner end to form a shoulder I4' at theinner end of its rear wall. The shoulders I4 provide a positiveengagement for the pin `II when applying or removing the ring, as laterset forth. i

The operation of contracting the ring, after it is positioned as shownin Fig. 2, maybe accomplished in various ways, for example, by impartingthereto several taps or blows at vary-l notch I4 and the lever 9voperated to its closed position as shown in Fig. 11thereby partiallysealing the cover in` position without compressing the gasket to anysubstantial extent (see Fig. 12). This operation is followed when thecontainer is to be shipped empty. To remove the ring, the lever 9 isswung outwardly, which operation expands the ring so that it may beremoved or dropped onto the hoop, as already set forth. When thecontainer is filled and the cover is to be sealed to' protect itscontents during shipment, the above contraction. operation is firstcarried out to effect partial contraction of the ring; then the pin IIis removed from the notch I4, the lever 9 is swung outwardly and the pinII is inserted in the notch I4a, following which the lever l`il is againswung to its closed position, as shown in Figs. 3, 4 and 6, therebyeffecting a final contraction of the ring and sealing of the cover.

To remove the ring, the lever is first swung 5 outwardly, the effect ofwhich is to partially expand the ring; thereafter the pin II is removedfrom the notch Ida and inserted in the notch I4, following which thelever 9 is again operated outwardly, the 'effect of which is to furtherex- 10 pand the ring 6, which may then be lifted bodily from thecontainer or allowed to drop down on the uppermost rolling hoop. Withthe' ring expanded into the position just described, if removed from thecontainer, it may be positioned l5 over the cover in a ready manner andcontracted as above set forth.

From the foregoing description it will be seen that the locking meansbetween the ring ends provide for two conditions, one where the parts,may be assembled, with the container empty, and shipped to the userwhile .maintaining the gasket in position and substantially uncompressedand the other where the user, after lling the container,- may quicklyand easily, by operation of the locking means, contract the ring to seallthe cover in iinal position and the receiver may with equal facilityremove the ring. As the ring in its sealing position compresses thegasket substantially to the limit of its compressibility and often tendsto stick to the ring wall, the adjustable attachment and detachment ofthe locking and operating elements,asabove set forth, provides for apositive as well as a ready means for expanding or contracting the ring,both initially and nally, and handling thereof. When the lever V9 isoperated to the position shown in Figs. 3, 4, 6 and 1l, an imaginaryline extending through the axes ofthe pivot 9' Aand pin II lies inwardlyof the axis of the pin 8';

accordingly, the lever 9 when in closed position against the side I ofthe container is locked against outward movement.

In the arrangement shown, the inner end of f the lever straddles the lug81: 4and the links I0 straddle the lever 9 and lug I3 and as the lugs`8a: and I3 are disposed in the same plane the locking action of thelocking means is transmitted in the plane of the lugs and substantial-Yly in a direction parallel to the plane `of the ring, sothat in thecontracting and expanding operations of the latter, due to operation 0fthe lever 9., no twisting forces are imparted to the ring ends and theupper and lower walls of the ring lmove substantially at right angles tothe axis P of the. container.

The lever 9 is curved from end to end so as, to lie concentric to -theside wall I when in opfrictional engagement one with another undertension so as to prevent their accidental detachment and vibration dueto bodily handling or rolling of the container. 0f these means, I 8in'-I dicates an angle on the outer end of the lever 9 to providea-verti'cal wall II-I and a lateral walll I8, which is bent downwardlyfor clearance purposes. The angle I6 is preferably provided by slittingthe lower side of the lever at I6 `and 'bending such# side down to aposition at right angles to the 'upper side of the lever. I9 indicates aslot formed in the wall I8 and extend- V ing inwardly from its free endlongitudinally ad- 3 jacent to the inner face of the wall Il and adaptedto receive a latch 20. The latch 20 is pivotally connected at its upperend to a lug 2l depending below the lower ring wall 6b, the lug 2|beingintegrally connected to a wall 2Ia welded exteriorly to the ring 6as shown in Figs. 4 and 8. The .pivot 29 for the latch 2l! extendssubstantially radially of the axis of the ring and is rarranged inwardlyof the free end of the lever 9 (when the latter is in operated or closedposition, see Figs. 4, 5 and 11), the latter being supported bydepending members 8a and I2a in a plane below such pivot 20. In thisarrangement the latch 29 may be swung outwardly to a position out of thepath of movement of the lever 9, as shown in` Fig. 9, and then swungdownwardly to its vertical position and into the recess or slot I9 (seedotted lines in Fig. 9 and full lines in Figs. 4 and 8), thereby lockingthe lever or handle 9. The 'latch 20 is preferably slightly out ofalinement with onev wall of Vthe slot I9, so `that it has to be forcedthereinto, the

contact between their walls to prevent these parts from vibrating. Tofacilitate entering the latch 20 into the slot I9, it is providedA witha beveled wall I9'. The free end of the latch 20 is provided-with aninturned end 22 which serves as an extension to facilitate swinging thelatch into and out of lockingposition. The wall I1 and latch 29 areformed with openings 23,/ 23',

respectively, adapted to register, when the lever 9`is in closedposition and the latch 20 is in locking position, and to permit a wire24 to be threaded through them and their ends connected by a seal slug25.

26 indicates an auxiliary lock between the lever 9 and latch 20 servingto hold the latter in a predetermined position, that is, that positionin which the openings 23, 23', are in registry, the purpose being toprevent accidental disengagement of the latchv from the lever orrelative movement between them, whereby 'the 'sealing wire 24 mightbecome cut. The auxiliary lock 26 preferably consists of an indentation26! formed in one` part, to wit, the llatch 20 and an embossedprojectionion the inner.face of vthe wall I1, which projection isadapted to ride the 'wall of the latch 20 and drop into the indentation26 as shown in Fig. 8. l The walls 8 and I2 are arranged adjacent theends of the ring and serve to reinforce the ring so that the latter maybe made of light gage material. f I

To those skilled in the art to which my yinvention relates, many changesin construction and widely differing embodiments and applica- .-tions ofthe invention will suggest themselves without departing from the spiritand scope oi' the invention. My disclosures and the description hereinare purely illustrative and not intended to bein any sense. limiting.

What I claim is:

l. In a. container construction having a circumferential bead at itsupper end, the combi- .nation with a gasket arranged to engage the beadand a cover having a peripheral flange arranged. to engage the gasket,of a split channel ring arranged to surround the bead and cover flangeand pivotallyconr'iected locking elements cne of which is pivotallyconnected to the lower 'wall of said ring adjacent one end thereof andadapted to be detachably connected to one portion of said lower walladjacent Athe other ring end and operated to closed position to hold theeiect of which is to provide a resilient, sliding-.-

container, gasket and cover in assembled relation and adapted to bedetachably connected with a remote portion of said lower wall of theother ring end and operated to closed position 5 to clamp the coveriiange and bead together with the gasket compressed between them, saidlocking elements when in closed position being dis-- posedentirelywithinthe outer circumferential wall of said ring.

2. In a container construction having a circumferential bead at itsupper end, the combination with a gasket arrangedto engage the bead anda cover having a peripheral flange arranged y to engage the gasket, of asplit channel ring arranged to surround the bead and coverI ange,

locking elements carried by the lower wall of said ring adjacent one endthereof, one of said elements being provided with an engaging member,and a wall carried by the lower ring wall adjacent the other end thereofand formed with a notch adjacent said ring endadapted to-be etachablyengaged by said engaging member whereby operation of said elements toclosed position will hold the container, gasket and cover in assembledrelation, said wall being formed with a second notch remote fromsaid-ring end and adapted to be detachably engaged by said' engagingmember whereby operation of said elements to closed position will clampthe'cover ange and bead together with the gasket compressed betweenthem, said locking elements when in closed position being disposedwithin the outer circumferential wall of said ring. A 3. In a containerconstruction having a circumferential bead at its upper end, thecombination with a gasket arranged to engage the bead and a cover havinga peripheral iiange arrangedto engage the gasket, of a split channelring arranged to surround the bead and cover flange, locking elementscarried by the lower wall of said ring adjacent one end thereof, one ofsaid elements being provided with an engaging member and a wall carriedby the lower ring wall adjacent the other end thereof and formed with anotch adjacentsaid ring end adapted to be detachably engaged bysaid'engaging member whereby operation of said elements to closedposition will hold the container, gasket and cover in assembledrelation, said wall being formed with a. second vnotch remote from saidring end and adapted to be detachably engaged by said engaging memberwhereby operation of said elements to closed position will clamp thecover flange and bead together with the gasket oompressed between them,the side wall of one of said notches being enlarged at its inner end toforma shoulder for engagement by said member.

4. In a container construction having a circumferential bead at itsupper end, the combination with a gasket arranged toengage the bead anda cover having a peripheral flange arranged vto engage the gasket, of asplit channel ring arranged to surround the bead and cover flange andengage therewith, locking elements, including a lever, carried by thelower wall of said ring adjacent one end thereof and adapted to bedetachably connected to said lower wallv adjacent thev other ring end tocontract the ring into rengagement with said bead and flange, and alatch pivoted onthe lower wall of said ring and adapted to be swung intooverlapping Telation to a portion of said lever andfin the path ofmovement thereof when said lever is in operated position to lock it.

5. -In a container construction having a circumferential bead at itsupper end, the combination with a gasket arranged to engage the bead anda cover having a peripheral flange arranged to engage the gasket, of asplit channel ring arranged to surround the bead and cover ange andengage therewith, locking elements, including a lever, carried by thelower wall of said ring adjacent one end thereof and adapted to bedetach' ably connected to said lower wall adjacent the other ring end tocontract the ring into engagement with said bead and ange, the outer endof said lever being formed with a longitudinally extending slot and alatch pivoted on the lower wall 'of said ring on an axis disposed atrightangles to said lever when in closed position and adapted to beswung into said slot when said lever is in operated position, wherebysaid latch is disposed in the path of movement thereof to lock it.

6. In a container construction having a circumferential bead at itsupper end, the combina- 'ably connected to said lower wall adjacent theother ring end to contract; theA ring into engage-` ment with said beadand ilange, the outer end of said lever being formed with alongitudinally extending slot and a latch pivoted on the lower l wall`of said ring on an axis disposed at right is disposed -inathe path ofmovement thereof to lock it, and auxiliary'locking means between thewalls of said lever and laten.

7. In a container construction having a cirtion witha gasket arranged toengage .the bead and a cover having a peripheral flange arranged toengage the gasket, of a split channel ring ar-v said bead and saidflange, anda latchipivoted on the, lower wall of said ring on an axissubstantially radially thereof inwardly of the outer end of said leverwhen the latter is in operated position and arranged to bepositioned inthe path of movement of said lever to open position to lock it, saidlatch being movable fto a position beyond the free end of the lever topermit operation ofv the latter to closed position.

8. In a container construction having a'circumferential bead at itsupper end, the combination with a gasket arranged to engage the bead anda cover having a peripheral iiange arranged to engage the gasket, of, asplit channel ring ar.

ranged to surround the bead'and cover flange and engage therewith,Jlocking elements, Vincluding a lever,'pivoted on a vertical axis onthelowerwall of said ring adjacent ole'end thereof and adapted to bedetachably connected to said lower wall adjacent the other ring end,whereby said lever is operable toward the side wall of the container tocontract the ring into engagementwith said cumferential bead at itsupper end, the combina- ,45 ranged to surround the bead and cover-iiange and bead and said flange, the outer end of said lever beingformed with a slot extending longitudinally inwardly, and a latchpivoted on the lower wall of said ring on an axis extendingsubstantially radially of the ring inwardly of the outer end of thelever when the latter is in operated position and arranged to projectinto said slot to lock the lever in operated position, said latch beingswingable to a position beyond the free end of the lever bers depending.fro'm the lower wall of said ring l to permit operation of tion.

9. In a container construction having a circumferential bead at itsupper end, the combina tion with a gasket arranged to engage the bead 15and a cover having a peripheral flange arranged to engage the gasket, ofa split channel ring arf ranged to surround the bead and cover iiangeand engage therewith, locking elements, including a lever, pivoted on avertical axis on the lower wall the latter to closed posi- 20 of saidring adjacent one endthereof and adapted to be detachably connected tothe other ring end, whereby -said lever is operable towardv the sidewall of the container to contract the ring into engagement with saidbead` and said flange, the

25 outer end of said lever being formedwith a slot extendinglongitudinally inwardly, and a latch pivoted on the lower wall of saidring on an axis extending substantially radially of the ring inward ofthe outer end of the lever when the 30 latter is in operated positionAand arranged to project into said vslot to lock the lever in operatedposition, said latch being swingable to a position beyond the free endof the lever to permit operation of the latter to closed pqsition, andarranged to frictionally engage one wall of said slot when projectedthereinto.

10. The combination with a container the side wall of which is providedat its upper end with a circumferential bead and a cover having acircumferential marginal-edge arranged to engage said bead, of a splitring substantially U-shape in cross section to provide upper and lowertermnating walls arranged to be expanded over said bead and edge andcontracted to elect engagement of said terminating wall's therewith,where by said cover is sealed against said bead, and means forcontracting said ring, said means comprising a lever and a linkpivotally connected to each other and to the lower walls adjacent theends of said ring, one of said pivotal connections' being detachable,said contracting means when in operated position being entirely within'th side wall of said ring.

11. The combination with a containery the side wall of which is providedat its upperend with a circumferential bead and a cover having acircumferential marginal edge arranged .to engage said' bead, of a splitring substantially U-shape in cross section to provide upper and lowerterminating walls arranged to be expanded over said bead and edge andcontracted to effect engagement of said terminating walls therewith,whereby said cover is sealedagainst said bead, and .pivotal lockingmeans for contracting said ,ring carried onr and belowsaid lower walladjacent one end of said ring and arranged to detachp ably engage anelement fixed to and arranged below said lower wall adjacent the otherend of said ring, said means when in operated position being disposedentirely within the side wall of said ring. y

12. The combination with a container the side wall of which isprovidedat its upper end with a circumferential bead and a cover having acircumferentialmarginal edge arranged to engage in cross section toprovide upper and lower` terminating walls arranged to be expandedover-said bead and edge.y and contracted to eiect engagement of saidterminating walls therewith, whereby said cover is sealed against saidbead, and locking means for contracting said ring arranged when invoperated position entirely within the side wall thereof, saidmeanscomprising memadjacent its ends and pivotally connected elements, one ofsaid elements being pivotally mounted on one of said members and theother element being provided with a device adapted to detachably engagethe other member.

13. The combination with a container the side wall of which is providedat its upper end with a circumferential bead and a cover having acircumferential marginal edge arranged to engage said bead, of a splitring substantially U-shape in cross section to provide upper and lowerterminating walls arranged to be expanded over said bead and edge andcontracted to eiect engagement of said'terminating walls therewith,-

other end of said ring, saidpivotally connected I elements when inoperated position being disposed entirely within-the side wall of saidring.

14. The combination with a container the side wall of which is providedat' its upper end with a circumferential bead and a cover having acircumferential marginal edge arranged toengage said bead, of a splitring substantially U-shape in cross section to provide upper andilowertermnating walls arranged` to be expanded over said bead and edge andcontracted to effect engagement of said terminating walls therewith,whereby said cover vis sealed against said bead, locking means forcontracting. said ring carried on and belowsaid lower wall adjacent oneend of said ring, the outer end of one element of said lock#- ing meansbeing provided with a pivot pin and a wall supported on and arrangedbelow the lower wall of said ring adjacent the other end there of andformed with a notch to detachably receive said pin, said locking meanswhen in closed position being disposed entirely within the side wall oisaid ring.

wall of which is provided at its upper end with 15. 'Ihe combinationwith a containerthe side a circumferential bead and a cover having acircumferential marginal edge arranged to engage said bead, of asplitring substantially U-shape in cross section to provide upper andlowerterminatingfwalls arranged to be expanded over said within the side wallof said ring.

bead and'edge and contractedlto eifect engage- 16. The combination vwithacontainer the side wall of which is provided at its upper end with acircumferential beadl and a cover having a circumferential marginal edgearranged to engage said bead, of a split ring substantially U` shape incross section to provide upper and lower terminating walls arrangedto beexpanded over said bead and edge and contracted to effect engagement ofsaid terminating walls therewith,

10 whereby said cover is sealed against said"bead,

and locking means for contracting said ringisaid elements comprisinglugs carried on and lbelow said lower terminating wail oisaid ringadjacent the respective ends thereof, a lever and a link pivotallyconnected to -each other, one of said elements being provided with a pinand an adjacent element being provided with av plurality of spacednotches each arranged to detachably receive said pin, said lockingelements when in operated position being entirely within the sidewall'of said ring. -K'

HAROLD GAR.` VAUGHN.

